Abstract:
An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced to provide a thin absorbent layer having high permeability in the thickness direction but low permeability in the plane due to the barrier material. In a second embodiment the absorbent Core consists out of an outer absorbent member having a central void, open toward the body side of the absorbent article a central absorbent member disposed over and extending into the open void and a wicking barrier disposed between the outer and central absorbent member.
Abstract:
An absorbent article having a cover, a baffle and an absorbent core is disclosed. The absorbent core is constructed of at least three absorbent members vertically arranged with each absorbent member having an increasing wicking capacity along an x and y-axes, relative to the preceding absorbent member. The improved absorbent core exhibits a crush resistance of greater than about 250 grams and having a caliper of less than about 5 mm.